I'm not going to Lake Placid in November. It's a long drive from the airport and once you get off the highway, much of the route goes through what is essentially wilderness. In the snow (and yes, there can be big snowstorms in November) it could be an extremely hazardous trip.

I'd rather go to the JGP or the Ice Dance event in Lake Placid in the summer. Then it's a pleasant trip.

Alissa will be invited for sure, as U.S. champion. They have a lot of choice for the other two.

USFS may not place a priority on getting a lot -- or any -- of its skaters into the GP final. Plus, they are under more pressure than ever to make the event pay for itself, what with the ISU withholding funding.

The more I think about it, the more I think the USFSA will send Alissa, Rachael and Caroline to Skate America.

I think they will not care too much about the Grand Prix Final and instead will use the event to start turning up the hype for the presumptive U.S. Olympic team. If the whole NBC TV package of Skate America, U.S. Nationals and the Olympics fizzles, that could be the end of skating on network TV period.

In contrast, neither the American viewing public nor the NBC executives know that the Grand Prix Final exists.

In 1997 the US ladies at Skate America were Michelle Kwan, Tara Lipinski, and Angela Nikodinov. In 2001 they were Michelle Kwan, Sarah Hughes and Sasha Cohen.

East of the Pacific, West of the Atlantic, South of Canada and North of Mexico

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Originally Posted by ehdtkqorl123

How did you buy those tickets? I just checked that skateamerica2009.com has a link to ticket website but I couldn't purchase cuz it is disabled..

I have all event tickets and got them by calling the box office. Wierd thing was that they didn't come with practice session tickets. So I called back and she was like....oh they haven't done the practice schedule yet and you will probably just be able to get into the practice session with your event tickets...I thought to myself...that's different then any other event that I have been too. With no funding and apparently no clue yet...it should be very interesting!!

By the way, do you know when the entries will be announced? Last year, it was around May 15th, but I am not sure about this year...
I live in San Diego and am planning to fly to Burlington, Vermont then drive to Lake Placid for 2.5 hrs..:P

I am leaving in San Diego and am planning to fly to Burlington, Vermont then drive to Lake Placid for 2.5 hrs..:P

Are you taking the ferry across from Burlington? That takes about an hour, so your actual drive time is closer to 2.0 hours. We go to Lake Placid every summer and usually opt to take the Charlotte to Essex ferry. It's much shorter (20 minutes) to cross the lake, half the price ($18 roundtrip) and you have less mileage to Lake Placid from Essex as opposed to Port Kent.

I think by the time SA comes around, the USFS can play a little strategy with the 3 Ladies they are entitled to. SA will have either Mao, Kim or Rochette, so one US Lady will come away with 4th place at the best.

Who should the USFS sacrifice?

Also look to Japan and also Europe on whom they will send to SA.

Maybe there will be no 3rd place open or even no US podium.

Why not just use the TBA as other Feds do.

Remember Evan scored 2 bronze medals last year but did not make the Final. Everyone wants to look good for the Olys.

Some Fans believe the USFS should send in their 3 very best skaters for SA. I just question that? The object of the GP series is to make the Final.

I think by the time SA comes around, the USFS can play a little strategy with the 3 Ladies they are entitled to. SA will have either Mao, Kim or Rochette, so one US Lady will come away with 4th place at the best.

Who should the USFS sacrifice?

Also look to Japan and also Europe on whom they will send to SA.

Maybe there will be no 3rd place open or even no US podium.

Why not just use the TBA as other Feds do.

Remember Evan scored 2 bronze medals last year but did not make the Final. Everyone wants to look good for the Olys.

Some Fans believe the USFS should send in their 3 very best skaters for SA. I just question that? The object of the GP series is to make the Final.

I think Joannie will definitely go to Skate Canada and one in Europe or Asia